This triptych tableau featuring the Buddhist earth goddess, Wathundaye, is carved of teak and fitted with wood hinges to form a folding altar. The mid-20th century piece is from the countryside in Burma, where Wathundaye is a revered Buddhist icon. She is shown in the act of wringing water from her long hair, depicting a Jataka story that credits her with using the water to drown the evil Mara and his armies who were attempting to disrupt Buddha's path to enlightenment as he meditated under the Bodhi tree. Shown with the goddess are a praying pilgrim and his donkey. This hand carved altar has the same humble, earnest quality that is so evident in villages across Burma where Buddhist devotion is integral to daily life. It is in good condition. Dimensions when open: height 7-1/2" (19 cm), width 10" (26 cm), depth 3-1/2" (9 cm). The diameter of the piece when closed is 4" (10 cm). SEE MORE ITEMS IN OUR COLLECTION AT WWW.SILKROAD1.COM